Plural-valve plumbing fixture



zmsmx Nov. 29, 1938. J. R. OBRlEN PLURAL-VALVE PLUMBING FIXTURE s Sheets-Sheei 1 Filed June 25, 1937 wig Nov. 29, 1938. J. R. O'BRIEN 7 2,138,503

I PLURAL-VALVE PLUMBING FIXTURE Filed June 25, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NQV. 29, 1938. J. R. OBRIEN PLURAL-VALVE PLUMBING FIXTURE Filed June 25, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

This invention relates to plumbing fixtures, and more particularly to plumbing fixtures having a plurality of valves for controlling the fio of water to other plumbing fixtures.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a superior plural-valve plumbing fixture in which the supply of water to a desired one or more of the plurality of control-valves may be shut ofi to permit the convenient inspection and repair of such control-valves without requiring the use of additional piping.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a superior plural-valve plumbing fixture having a distributing-head and so constructed and arranged that the water supply may be conveniently cut off from the said distributing-head and the latter readily removed and replaced as required. v

A further object of the present invention is to provide a superior plural-valve plumbing fixture in which the water supply to a given one of the control-valves may be readily shut off at a point adjacent the latter without requiring the removal of the usual escutcheon-plate.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art and which are not claimed by me in a separate application.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a plural-valve plumbing fixture embodying the present invention and shown as installed in a wall structure;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof with portions of the Wall structure shown in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1, but showing all of the necessary elements removed to permit the removal of the distributing-head which is shown partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, the said distributinghead being shown as spaced from the wall-surface in a position which it would assume during the operation of its removal or replacement;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 4, but omitting the distributing-head; I

Fig. 6 is a view in front elevation of the distributing-head or ring;

Fig. '7 is a broken view in vertical section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1, but on a larger scale;

Fig. 8 is a view looking toward the inner face of one of the water-inlet sealing-nuts;

Fig. 9 is a view thereof in side elevation;

Fig. 10 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of one of the water-inlet connecting-members;

Fig. 11 is a view thereof in end elevation;

Fig. 12 is a view in side elevation of the gateunit of one of the shut-01f valves; and

Fig. 13 is a broken detail sectional view illustrating another form of shut-off valve shown in conjunction with portions of adistributing-head and associated parts.

The particular plural-valve plumbing fixture herein chosen for illustration includes a hollow distributing-head or ring 20 which may be conveniently formed by casting and which in the instance shown is provided with four corresponding forwardly-projecting externallyand internally-threaded tubular extensions consti- .tutingvalve-bodies or housings 2|, 22, 23, 24, and each located at one of the four corners of the distributing-head, which latter is of sub- 'stantially-rectangular form.

Vertically intermediate the integral valve-bodies 2i and 22, the distributing-head is formed with a hollow enlargement 25 complementing a similar hollow enlargement 26 formed on the opposite side of the distributing-head vertically intermediate the valve-bodies 23 and 24 before referred to. Horizontally intermediate the valvebodies 2| and 23, the distributing-head is formed with a hollow enlargement 21 corresponding to the enlargements 25 and 26, before referred to, and complementing a similar hollow enlargement 28 located horizontally intermediate the valvebodies 22 and24.

Leading downwardly from the hollow enlargement 26 of the distributing-head is a cold-water connecting-passage 29, the lower end of which extends beneath an integral partition 30 (Fig. 3) in which is threaded a removable and replaceable tubular valve-seat bushing 3| having a polygonal water-passage 32 leading forwardly to the adjacent end of a cold-water passage 33 leading to the interior of the enlargement 28 before referred to (Figs. 3 and 6).

Engageable with the forward face of the valveseat bushing 3| to check or regulate the fiow of cold water from the enlargement 26 to the enlargement 28 of the distributing-head, is a valve- 'head 34 provided with an externally-threaded enlarged portion 35 engageable with threads 36 formed in the inner periphery of the valve-body 24 and serving when rotated by means of a valve-stem 31 to advance and-retire the valvehead 34 as a whole toward and away from the valve-seat bushing 3|.

The valve-stem 31, above referred to, extends outwardly through a sealing-washer 38, a clamping-washer 39, and a packing-nut 49, and is provided at its outer end in any approved manher with a valve-handle 4|. The packing-washer 38 is preferably formed of indurated fiber and is seated against the outer edge of the valvebody 24 by the clamping-washer 39, which in turn is seated against an inwardly-facing clamping-shoulder 42 formed in the packing-nut 4|] intermediate a packing-pocket 43 therein and the internally-threaded skirt 44 thereof. The packingpocket 43 of the packing-nut is filled with fibrous packing material 45, and the skirt 44 of the said packing-nut is engaged with threads 46 formed upon the outer periphery of the valvebodv 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The valve mechanism above described and located in the valve-body 24 constitutes, in the structure shown, a cold-water control-valve and, for convenience of description, will be generally designated by the reference character 41. The

remaining valve-bodies 2|, 22 and 23 are in the.

order named provided with a hot-water controlvalve generally designated by the reference character 48, a hot-water control-valve generally designated by the reference character 49, and a cold-water control-valve generally designated by the reference character 59. The mechanism of each of the valves 48, 49 and 50 corresponds to the mechanism of the cold-water control-valve 41, and where parts thereof appear in the drawings, such parts bear similar reference characters.

Leading downwardly from the enlargement 25 of the distributing-head 20 to the hot-water control-valve 49 in the valve-body 22 is a hotwater connecting-passage 5|, and leading from the said valve to the enlargement 28 is a complemental hot-water passage 52. Leading upwardly from the enlargement 25 to the hot-water control-valve 48 in the valve-body 2| is a hotwater connecting-passage 53, and leading laterally from the said. valve to the enlargement 21 is a hot-Water passage 54. In a similar manner, a cold-water connecting-passage leads from the enlargement 26 upwardly to the cold-water control-valve 50 in the valve-body 23, and in turn, a cold-Water passage 55 leads laterally from the said control-valve 5D to the enlargement 21.

Centrally intersecting the enlargement 25 of the distributing-head 20 and extending from front to rear therethrough is a passage 51. Similarly, the enlargements 26, 21 and 28 are respectively provided with central passages 58, 59 and 6B. The passages 59 and 60 respectively formed in the enlargements 21 and 28, each receive one of two corresponding water-outlet connectingmembers, generally designated by the reference character 6 one of which is especially well shown in Fig. 7. Each of the said water-outlet connecting members 6| includes a forwardly-projecting externally-threaded stud-like portion 62 and a rearwardly-extending socket 63 having internal threads and receiving the externally-threaded forward end of a water-outlet nipple 64.

Each water-outlet connecting-member 6| is also formed with an axial water-passage 65 communicating at its rear end with the socket 63 and communicating at its forward end with a transverse water-passage 66 extending diametrically through the stud-like portion 62. The passage 66, together with the passage 65, forms a T- shaped water-passage and communicates at the respective opposite ends of the transverse portion 66 thereof with the water-passages leading to the particular one of the enlargements 21 and 28 in which the given connecting-member 6| is mounted.

Each water-outlet connecting-member 6| is formed with an integral sealing-flange 61 of roundedv form in cross-section and adapted to make a substantially-line contact with the sloping surface of a rearwardly-facing sealing-seal 68 formed in the rear face of each of the enlargements 21 and 28 concentrically with the passages 59 and 60 respectively therein. Formed in the forward face of each of the enlargements referred to, concentrically with the passages 59 and 6|] respectively therein, is a forwardly-facing conical sealing-seat 69 which is engaged by the transversely-curved inner face 10 of a wateroutlet sealing nut, generally designated by the reference character 1|. The said sealing-nut is provided with an internally-threaded socket 12 closed at one end by an end-wall 13 and receiving the externally-threaded stud-like portion 62 of the complemental water outlet connectingmember 6|.

By tightening the sealing-nut 1|, the sealingfiange 61 of its complemental connecting-member BI is seated against the conical sealing-seat B8 in the rear face of the distributing-head 20, and at the same time the transversely-curved inner face :0 of the said nut is firmly seated against the forwardly-facing conical sealing-seat 69 in the forward face of the said distributing-head. In this manner the leakage of water from within the distributing-head and past the contacting surfaces 61-58 and Bil-10 is effectively prevented/ Furthermore, any water which may leak between the threads of the portion 62 of the connectingmember and the threads in the socket 12 of the sealing-nut 1| is prevented from leaking outwardly by the end-wall 13 of the said nut.

As before pointed out, each of the connectingmembers 6| (one being connected to each of the enlargements 21 and 28) has coupled to it a nipple 64, the rear end of each of which is threaded into an elbow 15. Each of the elbows 15, just referred to, is preferably formed with a-polygonal portion 16 seating in a similarly-shaped socket 11 formed in a sheet-metal template 18, all as is more fully shown and described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 130,093, filed March 10, 1937.

The elbow 15 connected to the enlargement '21 has connected to its upwardly-extending arm an outlet-pipe 19 leading upwardly to a shower-head or the like (not shown). Similarly, the downwardly-extending terminal of the elbow 15 connected to the enlargement 28 has connected to it an outlet-pipe 80 leading to a bathtub or the like (not shown).

Placed over the distributing-head 20 and concealing the same, as well as concealing the inner portions of the four valve-bodies 2| to 24 inclusive, is a sheet-metal escutcheon or finishingplate 8| having in the instance shown a rearwardly-extending polygonal flange 82 contacting areases 3 the valve-bodies 2I--22 and 28-28. For the purpose of conveniently retaining the escutcheon 90 providing a rearwardly-opening threaded socket 9i. The socket 95 of each of the waterinlet connecting-members serves as an entryend thereto, which opens to a source of water supply and in the arrangement shown receives the externally-threaded forward end of a nippic 92. Each connecting-member is also formed with an axial water-passage 83 leading forwardly from the socket SI and intersecting at its forward end a transverse water-passage 98 extending diametrically through the stud-like portion 89.

, The passage 98 together with the passage 98 forms a T-shaped water-passage and communicates at the respective opposite ends of the transverse portion 94 thereof with the water-passages leading away from the particular one of the enlargements 25 and 26 in which the given connecting-member 88 is mounted.

Intermediate the socket 9! in each of the connecting-members 88 and the axial passage 93 therein, there is provided at the said entry-end of each water-inlet connecting-member, 88 a valve-seat 95 of conical form, but which may be generally characterized as rearwardly facing. The water-inlet connecting-members 88 correspond to the water-outlet connecting-members 5|, before described, save that each of the connecting-members 88 is provided with a valve-seat 95 and also has its stud-like portion 89 formed with a threaded axial passage 96. In the passage 80 of each connecting-member 88 is threaded the externally-threaded central portion 91 of a shutoff-valve gate-unit, generally designated'by the reference character 98. Projecting rearwardly from the threaded portion 91, just referred to, is a relatively-slender stem 99 carrying at its rear end a valve-head I having a conically-contoured forward face I 0| adapted on occasion to engage with the'valve-seat 95 inthe connectingmember 88. Extending forwardly from the threaded portion 91 of the gate-member 98 is a relatively-large cylindrical operating-stem I02 formed in its forward end with a kerf I03 by means of which the gate-unit 98 may be turned, for the purpose as will hereinafter appear.

Each of the connecting-members above described is formed with an integral sealing-flange I04 of rounded form in cross-section and adapted to make a substantially-line contact with the conical sloping surface of a rearwardly-facing sealing-seat I05 formed in the rear face of each members 88 is formed with a forwardly-extending sleeve I I0 which is both internally and externally threaded as shown in Figs. 3 and 9." The operating-stem I02 of the gate-unit 98 extends forwardly through the sleeve H0 and is surrounded by packing material III located in the said sleeve H0 and compressed therein by a gland-nut H2 which is threaded within the said sleeve I I0. Removably threaded upon the exterior of the sleeve H0 is a cup-shaped cap M8 having an end wall II i provided with a knurled periphery and also having a rearwardly-extending tubular flange H5 which is both internally and externally threaded at its inner portion. The internal threads of the flange I I5 engage with the external threads of the sleeve N0 of the sealing-nut I08 while the external threads of the said flange M5 are engaged by the internal threads of a cupshaped retaining nut IIB which ordinarily bears against the front face of the escutcheon 8i and serves to provide a finishingemember which conceals the external threads upon the cap II 8.

As before pointed out, each of the water-inlet connecting-members 80 (one of which is connected to each of the enlargements 25 and 28) has coupled to it a nipple 92. The rear end of each of the said nipples is threaded into an elbow III each of which is formed with a polygonal portion I I8 seating in a similarly-shaped locating-socket H9 in the sheet-metal template I8 before de scribed. I

The elbow I I! connected to the enlargement 25 has connected to its downwardly-extending arm a hot-water supply-pipe I20 and similarlythe downwardly-extending arm of the elbow I I1 leading to the enlargement 26 has connected to it a cold-water supply-pipe I H The particular plural-valve plumbing fixture herein chosen for illustration provides for either selectively or simultaneously supplying a mixture of both hot and cold water either to a showerhead or to a bathtub or the like, as will be obvious from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings. Thus, for instance, should thevalves 48 and 50 be simultaneously opened, both hot and cold water will flow upwardly through thepipe I9. In a similar manner, should the'hot-water valve 49 and the cold-water valve 41 be simultaneously opened, a supply of water would be delivered to the depending outletpipe 80. If either or both valves of both sets of valves are simultaneously opened, water will simultaneously be supplied to both the pipes I9 and 80.

For the purpose of illustrating certain of the advantages of the present invention, let it be presumed that the fixtureis installed in' the manner illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and that it should develop that the distributing-head or ring 20 is defective and leaks. Under such circumstances, both of the caps I I 3 would be unthreaded from their complemental' sleeves H0 (forming a feature of the sealing-nuts I08) to thus make accessible for engagement by a screw-driver or other suitable tool the kerf I03 in the. forward end of the operating-stem I02 of each of the gate-units 98. Each of the gate-units 98 is now turned by means of a toolinserted in the kerf I03 until the'valve-head I00 is shifted from the I oil. from all four of the control-valves 41 to'i50 inclusive and: the same may be dismantled to permit the removal of the escutcheon or finishing-plate 8|. All of the retaining-nuts 81 and H8 are now removed and the said escutcheon 8| is in turn removed from over the distributingring or head 20.

The gland-nut II2, after the stop-pins I02a have been removed is loosened. Each of the two sealing-nuts H and each of the two sealing-nuts I08 are now unscrewed from their respective connecting-members 6| and 88.

The distributing-head or ring 20 may now be removed forrepairs or immediately replaced .by another distributing-head which is known to be in good condition. During the operations before described it will be noted that the water-supply through the water-inlet connecting-members 88 to the interior of the distributing-head orring is' definitely shut OH and thenthe said ring may be removed from the connecting-members without occasioning the leakage of water from the supply-pipes I20 and I2I.

In the event that it becomes necessary to repair the control-valves 41, 48, 49 and 50, it is only necessary to remove the appropriate cap H3 and turnthe exposed operating-stem I02 by means of a screw-driver to seat the valve-head I against the seat 95 in the connecting-member 88.

It will be noted from the foregoing that inasmuch as the shut-off-valve gate-units are carried by the inner connecting-members, the effectiveness of such gate-units is not impaired by the removal of the sealing-nuts or even by the removal of the distributing-head or ring itself.

Fig. 13 shows another form of shut-off valvemechanism suitable for use with plural-valve plumbing fixtures of the present invention. In the structure of Fig. 13 a distributing-head or ring I22 is employed which generally corresponds to the distributing-head or ring 20, before described, and like the same is provided with a transverse water-passage I23 communicating with the hollow interior of the distributing-head I22 and terminating at its respective opposite ends in conical sealing-seats I24 and I25. Projecting through the transverse passage I23 is the stud-like portion I20 of a connecting-member which is generally designated by the reference character I21 and which includes a rearwardlyprojecting internally-threaded sleeve I28 receiving a water-supply nipple I29.

Formed in the connecting-member I 21 and leading forwardly from the interior of the sleeve I28 is an internally-threaded passage I30 intersecting at its forward end a water-passage I3I which extends diametrically across the stud-like portion I26 and communicates at its respective opposite ends with the hollow interior of the distributing-head I22. Installed in the waterpassage I30, just referred to, is a valve-seat bushing I32, the forward conical face of which is adapted to be engaged by the rear face of a valvehead I33 forming the rear terminal of ashutofi-valve gate-unit, generally designated by the reference character I35. The valve-head I33 extends rearwardly from an externally-threaded portion I 38 of the said gate-unit, which portion is threaded into an internally-threaded bore I31 formed in the stud-like portion I26 at a point forwardly of the transverse water-passage I3I therein. The gate-unit also includes a forwardly-extending operating-stem I38 which passes through an externallyand internallythreaded sleeve I39 forwardly offsetting from a sealing-nut I40, generally corresponding to the sealing-nut I08 of the structure illustrated in the figures preceding Fig. 13. Located in the sleeve I39 of the sealing-nut I40 is a body of packing material I which is held in place by a gland-nut I42 threaded into the interior of the said sleeve I39.

Threaded over the exterior of the sleeve I39 of the sealing-nut I 40 is the tubular flange I43 of a cup-shaped cap I44 which includes also a convex front-end wall I45. By removing the cap I44, the kerf I46 in the forward end of the operating-stem I38 is made available for manipulation. I The sealing-nut I40 is provided with an annular transversely-rounded sealing-flange I41 which seats against the conical sealing-seat I24 in the forward-face of the distributing-head I 22. In a similar manner, the connecting-member I21 .is formed about midway of its length with an annular transversely-rounded sealing-flange I48 which seats against the rearwardly-facing sealing-seat I25 formed in the rear wall of the distributing-ring I22.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodi' ments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appendedclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A plural-valve plumbing fixture constructed and arranged for removable interposition be tween a source of water supply and outlets therefor including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having a water-inlet passage opening at an entryend thereof to a source of water supply and communicating at its opposite end with the hollow interior of the distributing-head; and shut-01f means including a valve-seat provided at the said entry-end of the water-inlet passage and coop crating valve-structure arranged substantially axially in line with the inlet-passage of the said distributing-head and normally positioned in nonsealing relation and operable from the forward face of the same to engage the said valve-seat to seal the said inlet-passage at the entry-end there of against passage of water through the said inlet-passage to head.

2. A plural-valve plumbing fixture constructed and arranged for removable interposition between a source of water supply and outlets therefor including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves orthe interior of the distributing- I ganized therewith and controlling the outflow of I concealing the said distributing-head and having an aperture therein; and shut-ofi means including a valve-seat provided at the said entryend of the water-inlet passage and cooperating valve-structure arranged in line with the inletpassage of the said distributing-head and in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon normally positioned in non-sealing relation and operable from the forward face of the same through the aperture therein to engage the said valve-seat to seal the inlet-passage at the entry-end thereof against passage of water through the said inletpassage to the interior of the distributing-head.

3. A plural-valve plumbing fixture constructed and arranged for removable interposition be' tween a source of water supply and outlets therefor including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having a water-inlet passage opening at an entryend thereof to a source of water supply and communicating at its opposite end with the hollow interior of the distributing-head; an escutcheon concealing the said distributing-head and having an aperture therein; and shut-ofi means including-a valve-seat provided at the said entry-end of i the water-inlet passage and cooperating 'valvestructure having an operating portion arranged in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon and a rearwardly-mounted valve-head arranged in position to engage the said valve-seat to seal the inlet-passage at the entry-end thereof against passage of water through the said inlet-passage to the interior of the distributing-head.

4. A plural-valve plumbing fixture constructed and arranged for removable interposition between a source of water supply and outlets therefor including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having a water-inlet passage opening at an entryend thereof to a source of water supply and communicating at its opposite end with the hollow interior of the distributing-head; an escutcheon concealing the said distributing-head and having an aperture therein; shut-off means including a valve-seat provided at the said entry-end of the water-inlet passage and cooperating valve-structure having an operating portion arranged in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon and a rearwardly-mounted valve-head arranged in position to engage the said valve-seat to seal the inlet-passage at the entry-end thereof against passage of water through the said inlet-passage to the interior of the distributing-head; and a removable cap closing the aperture in the said escutcheon and concealing the said shut-off valve.

5. A plural-valve plumbing fixture constructed and arranged for removable interposition between a source of water supply and outlets therefor including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having a water-inlet passage opening at an entryend thereof to a source of water supply and communicating at its opposite end with the hollow interior of the distributing-head; an escutcheon concealing the said distributing-head an'd having an aperture therein; shut-ofi means including a valve-seat provided at the said entry-end of the water-inlet passage and cooperating valvestructure having an operating portion arranged in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon and a rearwardly-mounted valve-head arranged in position to engage the said valve-seat to seal the inlet-passage at the entry-end thereof against passage of water through the said inlet-passage to the interior of the distributing-head; and a removable cap having a portion extending through the aperture in the said escutcheon to conceal the said shut-E valve and carried by the said distributing-head independently of the said escutcheon.

6. A plural-valve plumbing fixture constructed and arranged for removable interposition between a source of water supply and outlets therefor including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having two control-valves spaced apart from each other and controlling the outflow of water from the distributing-head, the said distributing-head also having a water-passage located intermediate the two said control-valves, the said water-passage opening at an entry-end thereof to a source of water supply and communicating in the interior of the distributing-head with connecting-passages to the said two controlvalves; and shut-off means including a valve-seat provided at the said entry-end of the water-inlet passage and cooperating valve-structure arranged substantially axially in line with the water-passage of the said distributing-head intermediate the two said control-valves and having a normally non-seated valve-head in position to engage the said valve-seat to seal the said water-passage at the entry-end thereof against the passage of water through the water-passage to the said connecting-passages and control-valves ofthe distributing-head.

7. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a pair of spaced-apart control valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of Water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having a water-passage communicating with its hollow interior; an escutcheon concealing the said distributing-head and having an aperture therein in a position intermediate the two said controlvalves; and a shut-oil valve organized with the said distributing-head at a point intermediate the two said control-valves and in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon and controlling the flow of water from the water-passage in the said distributing-head to both of the said controlvalves.

8. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a pair of spaced-apart control-valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having'a water-passage communicating with its hollow interior; an escutcheon concealing the said distributing-head and having an aperture therein a position intermediate the two said controlvalves; a shut-ofi valve organized with the said distributing-head at a point intermediate the two said control-valves and in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon and controlling the flow of water from the water-passage in the said distributing-head to both of the said controlvalves; and a removable cap closing the aperture in the said escutcheon and concealing the said shut-01f valve.

9. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a pair of spaced-apart control-valves organized therewith and controlling the outflow of water therefrom, the said distributing-head also having a water-passage communicating with its hollow interior; an escutcheon concealing the said distributing-head and having an aperture therein.

in a position intermediate the two said controlvalves; a shut-off valveorganized with the said distributing-head at a point intermediate the two said control valves and in line with the aperture in the said escutcheon and controlling the flow of water from the watenpassage. in the said distributing-head to both of the said controlvalves; and a removable cap normally organized with the said distributing-head to conceal the said shut-off valve therein and having a portion projecting forwardly through the aperture in the said escutcheon.

10. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a tubular distributing-ring of substantially-rectangular form having four control-valves organized therewith at each of the four corners thereof and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having two water-passages communicating with its hollow interior and respectively located intermediate a given pair of the said controlvalves; and a pair of shut-oil valves respectively controlling the flow of water through one of the water-passages of the said distributing-head and operable from the forward face of the same to shut off the flow of water to the particular pair of control-valves between which it is located.

11. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member removably organized with the said distributing-head and communicating with the passage therein and adapted to be con- 7 nected to a piping system; and a shut-off" valve carried by the said removable connecting-member in position to be operated from a position adjacent one of the said control-valves to out off the supply of water thereto.

12. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member also organized with the said distributing-head and connected to the passage therein and adapted to be connected to a piping system; and a shut-off valve carried by the said connecting-member and having an operating portion arranged axially with respect to the said passage in the said distributing-head and located-in a position to be operated from a position adjacent one of the said control-valves for shutting off the supply of water thereto.

13. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; connecting-means organized with the said distributing-head and connected to the passage in the same and adapted to be connected with a pipingsystem, the said connecting-means including a front member and a rear member coupled together and respectively clamped against the front and rear walls of the said hollow distributing-head, the said front member having a passage therethrough for the reception of an operatingstem; and a shut-off valve carried by the said connecting-means and rotatable axially with respect thereto for shutting off the supply of water to one or more of the said control-valves, the said shut-off valve having an operating-stem projecting into the passage in the front member of the said connecting-means.

14. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves-,organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; fonnecting-means organized with. the said dis trributing-head and serving to connect the interior of the same to a piping system, the said connecting-means including a rear-connecting-member clamped against the rear wall of the distributing-head and having a portion projecting into the passage therein and having an angular water-passage communicating with the hollow interior of the distributing-head; the said conmeeting-means also including a forward clampingmember having a valve-stem passage therethrough and clamped against the forward wall of the said hollow distributing-head; and a shutoif valve carried bythe rear connecting-member and serving to shut off the flow of water to one or more of the said'control-valves, the said shutofi valve having an operating-stem projecting into the valve-stem passage in the said forward clamping-member.

15. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member adapted to be connected to a piping system and having a projecting portion providedwith a water-passage and extending into the passage in the said distributing-head, the said connecting-member also having a portion in sealing, engagement with the rear wall of the latter; a {clamping-member connected to the said connecting-member and having an axial passage therethrough; and a shutofi valve having threaded engagement with the said connecting-member and having an operating-stem projecting into the passage in the said clamping-member.

16. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member adapted to be connected to a piping system and having a portion extending into the passage in the said distributing-head and also having a T-shaped waterpassage communicating with the hollow interior of the said distributing-head, the said connecting-member also having a portion in sealing engagement with the rear wall of the said distributing-head; a clamping-member engaged with the said connecting-member and havinga passage extending axially therethrough and also having a portion in sealing engagement with the front wall of the said distributing-head; and a shut-off valve carried by the said connectingmember and having an operating-stem extending forwardly into the passage in the said clamping-member.

17. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member adapted 'to be connected to a piping system and having a project-' ing portion provided with awater-passage and extending into the passage in the said distributing-head, the said connecting-member also having a portion in sealing engagement with the rear wall of the said distributing-head; a clamping-member connected to the said connectingmember and having an axial passage therethrough; a shut-off valve having threaded engagement with the said connecting-member and having an operating-stem projecting into the passage in the said clamping-member; and an escutcheon covering the said distributing-head and provided with an aperture in line with the operating-stem of the said shut-off valve.

18. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the flow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member adapted to be connected to a piping system and having a projecting portion provided with a water-passage and extending into the passage in the said distributing-head, the said connecting-member also having a portion in sealing engagement with the rear wall of the said distributing-head; a clamping-member connected to the said connectingmember and having an axial passage therethrough; a shut-d valve having threaded engagement with the said connecting-member and having an operating-stem projecting into the passage in the said clamping-member; an escutcheon covering the said distributing-head and provided with an aperture in line with the operating-stem of the said shut-off valve; and a cap-member closing the aperture in the said escutcheon and concealing the said shut-oil valve.

19. A plural-valve plumbing fixture including in combination: a hollow distributing-head having a plurality of control-valves organized therewith and controlling the fiow of water therethrough, the said distributing-head also having a passage communicating with its hollow interior; a connecting-member adapted to be connected to a piping system and having a projecting portion provided with a water-passage and extending into the passage in the said distributing-head, the said connecting-member also having a portion in sealing engagement with the rear wall of the said distributing-head; a clamping-member connected to the said connectingmember and having an axial passage therethrough; a shut-ofi valve having threaded engagement with the said connecting-member and having an operating-stem projecting into the passage in the said clamping-member; an escutcheon covering the said distributing-head and provided with an aperture in line with the operating-stem of the said shut-off valve; and a cap having a portion extending rearwardly through the aperture in the said escutcheon and into threaded engagement with the said clamping-member to conceal the operating-stem of the said shut-ofi valve.

JOHN R. O'BRIEN. 

